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Hello Folks
I have a very nice shooting 32-20. 1873 that has just developed a feed problem. I loaded 10 cartridges in the tube and fire 8 shoots; then the last 2 cartridges were not pushed by the spring. They seem to slide a short distance (approximately 4-6”); sounding like a wood plug in a tube feed pump action shotgun. I did eject the two cartridges so the rifle is safe. I have not attempted any repairs or even removed the screw at the front of the rifle. I suspect the spring is either broken or snagged in the tube; but I do not know.
What do you suggest I do?
Thank you for your help
May 2, 2009
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Tom,
You can check the feed tube without disassembling the gun. With the lever full forward the elevator will be in the up position so you can see the follower and push on the follower forward from the bottom side with a flexible piece of plastic like a tie strap ( the heavier kind that are .350″ wide) and see if there is good spring pressure. The follower should freely move, Like you stated, it can have a broken spring and is binding. normally when the spring breaks the follower will be loose and slide on its own when the gun is tilted up and down since the spring pieces will start to shorten when they screw together. It could also be that some debris got in the tube when the shells were put in.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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